FCC wants your input on the AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

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With the upcoming $39 Billion AT&T/T-Mobile USA merger, it’s quite understandable that users of both networks are concerned how it will affect them. The FCC is concerned as well and has started a new commentary portal for users concerned with the mega merger. Users can go to the FCC ECFS Site here, and look for proceeding number 11-65 with the title “In the Matter of applications of AT&T Inc. and Deutsche Telekom AG for consent to assign or Transfer Control of licenses and Authorizations. ” Then you can fill out the form and follow the prompts to have your voice heard.

Everyone is chiming in on this merger. Other networks have officially filed objections with the FCC. Consumer Reports, however, is of the opinion that service should improve for both networks as a result of the marriage. But they also think that T-Mobile customers will see a price hike. They also say that those who object to it are more likely to have more to lose.
As we reported shortly after the news broke on the merger, T-Mobile has gone so far as to assure their customers that the merger won’t be completed overnight, but that AT&Ts conversion of their 4G network will take years. Meantime, users will still be able to enjoy T-Mobile’s service and that upgrading of phones and services will happen according to a normal service life of each contract. In the end, T-Mobile customers will have a faster, more robust network. But if you’re concerned, the FCC definitely wants to hear from you.
 

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DROID Charge Anomaly Tracked in Five Cities and Counting [Video]

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If you’ve been following @DroidLanding on Twitter, you know that there’s a contest going on where you are able to win a DROID Charge by tracking down a hidden marker in cities across the United States. What’s been released tonight is several videos documenting the winners in five cities including my place of residence, Minneapolis Minnesota, the prize found in no less than the famous First Avenue Danceteria, downtown MPLS – usually there’s a few hundred hipsters chopping it up on the floor – just Verizon during the day apparently!

The way this situation is being run is that people follow @DroidLanding on Twitter on the mobile device they’ve already got in their possession. They make sure they’re also tuned in to m.chargelanding.com, and “scan their area” at 4:28 PM HST (aka 10:28 EST, 9:28 CST, and 7:28 PST) each and every day. You’re then meant to share your findings on Twitter and on Facebook, unless you’re sneaky of course, and check out chargelanding.com on your desktop at home every day until you “zero in” on the winning location.
AND if you’re not into looking, you can “Scan” up to 10 times a day to be entered into a separate contest where 16 more DROID Charge units will be given away. Fun way to win a phone? Sure thing! More contests should be mobile like this when the prize is a mobile device. Smart stuff! Have a look below at all the winners thus far, and keep on scanning for your chance to win your own DROID Charge.

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Android 2.3 Gingerbread comes to the G2x thanks to CyanogenMod 7

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Great news for you all this evening, I know UFC is going and everyone is probably watching that like I am, but we have some great news that just dropped to twitter a few minutes ago. @CM_arcee has been the lead developer for CM7 for the LG G2x and Optimus 2x and he has just announced that nightly’s are now available for download from the CM download mirrors.


Yes what you see is real. The time has finally come and the CyanogenMod team feel that the builds for the LG G2x are now at a complete enough level that we can all flash the latest nightly if we choose. I’m excited, so excited to finally have CM7 and Android 2.3 on this amazing phone that I’ve already flashed it for mine, if you didn’t notice the photo above. So for those that don’t want to wait for T-Mobile to release Android 2.3.3 for the G2x, get it now with CM7.
As always, flashing something like a nightly or unstable build of a rom is a *at your own risk* type deal. Make sure you have rooted and installed clockwork recovery. Guides to both of these things are here. I’d do a nandroid backup first, I always do. So get rooted, flash clockworkmod and go get the latest nightly for the p999 (G2x) or the p990 for the O2x. Don’t forget the gapps for all your Google apps.
Just in case you missed it here is the link again for the downloads of CyanogenMod 7 for the G2x.
CM7 Download Mirrors

[via Twitter, AC]

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TuneIn Radio Pro adds stream recording

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Who knows how long this will last, but RadioTime has released an update to it’s popular TuneIn Radio Pro for Android app which allows for recording of radio streams. Users can simply tap on the red record button and the app saves the stream as an .m4a file. There’s also a DVR function that allows users to pause and backup. Users can then play back the file through the TuneIn Radio app, upload it to DropBox, or even email it to a friend.

The app provides more than 50,000 radio streams of music, news, sports and talk radio. Users can enjoy radio from all over the world and even some satellite stations like Sirius 98. Local radio stations are also available. Audio quality is streamed between 32kbps and 128. And users can also save their favorite stations as presets and create a sleep timer or alarm to record automatically.
When I was kid, you could record broadcast radio and there was nothing anyone could due thanks to the Fair Use doctrine. Then along came the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. So with the music industry going after legal use of music via fair use on every front, how long can this feature really last? So get it while you can. The app is available at both the Amazon App Store and the Android Market for $0.99.

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Wuala takes Android safely to the cloud

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Android users looking for a safe and secure cloud storage option may want to check out Wuala. This online storage service uses an encryption method where the files on your Android handset are encrypted. Then when users upload them to the cloud, not even Wuala knows what they are. Users can also use Wuala to sync across multiple platforms and computers, so files are up to date everywhere.

Wuala also stores files redundantly, so that in the case of calamity, files are still available. And like Drop Box, users can select what files can be shared by who via invitation. Pro pay options include backup, sync, going back into time to retrieve an old version of a file.
To date, Wuala has stored nearly 500 million files securely. The application is free and comes with 1GB of cloud storage included upon sign up. Additional pay storage options start at $30 for ten gigs, and goes up to 250GB for around $290 a year. Users can also contact Wuala should more storage be required.

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T-Mobile: We Downloaded a Crap Ton of Stuff While Verizon’s 4G Network Was Down

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T-Mobile wasn’t going to let this juicy opportunity slip away. In what has to be a very gutsy blow to the – well – gut, T-Mobile has tweeted Verizon to let them know that they were able to get stuff done on their 4G network while Verizon’s 4G network was down. Here’s the full tweet for your consideration:

And with that I leave you to talk amongst yourselves because I don’t think I can follow that statement with anything worthy enough of being said.
 

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Google Removes Apps From The Android Market Without Warning

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The Android Market is has the best apps of today developed by Google and others for Android devices. Compared to Apple’s App Store, the Android Market is an “open market” that permits developers to publish their apps for users to download instantly without permission from anyone.

Every so often, Google pulls an app from the Android Market. Here are some of the few apps that were pulled recently

Grooveshark
Grooveshark is an online music search engine, music streaming service and music recommendation web software application, allowing users to search for, stream, and upload music free of charge that can be played immediately or added to a playlist. Grooveshark have been in the market for a year and a half however just this month, with no particular reason and no notice at all, Grooveshark was pulled from the Android Market.
The people behind Grooveshark were shocked why Google pulled out the app from the market and they do not know what rules and regulations were violated.
Pokemon Tower Defense
Well, the most probable or perhaps the most obvious reason why the popular tower defense themed from Pokemon got pulled out from the Android Market is that it used copyrighted characters without consent from Nintendo or from the Pokemon Company.
Nevertheless, the developers aren’t angry and respect the decision to have it pulled out. They are also aware that talking to Nintendo or Google right now would be futile.
Dog Wars
Dog Wars had been a provocative game for Android devices. The game is all about dogs fight against one another in virtual blood-fight scenarios. The controversial game was pulled out from the Android Market after a commotion from the Humane Society and from former dogfighter Michael Vick.
I really don’t understand the principal reason why Dog Wars was banned from the market. Just because something is illegal in real life in certain countries, does it also mean it is illegal to make a song, movie, or video game about it? How about those games that involves human fighting against each other? This seems really fishy.
When Google demonstrates its power to pull out apps – for whatever reason it has – users and developers have no choice and no one to appeal to. The question now is – Is it fair that Google pulled out these apps without warning?

 

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Targa – The New Droid Bionic – Coming This Summer

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Just last week, it was publicized that the highly anticipated Motorola Droid Bionic’s debut has been delayed. There were rumors that the reason why its debut will be delayed is because of some glitches with regard to its processor. Also, Motorola did not give us any official announcements to confirm those rumors. Amusingly, a new page has been published on Motorola’s website resounding the same CES reveal date, but the page has been tweaked and reveals what will be coming for the device when it gets released.

Based on compelling feedback since the show, we are incorporating several enhancements to make this an even better consumer experience. This includes expanded features, functionality and an improved form factor. Motorola Mobility and Verizon Wireless are very excited about bringing the ‘new’ DROID BIONIC to market.

As you can see on the photo above, it has the original form factor of the Droid Bionic. However, this summer, the Droid Bionic will come into existence with a new form factor. And, Verizon Wireless will still be carrying the device. The good news is that this particular smartphone is still expected to be a 4G LTE enabled smartphone. And guess what, the Droid Bionic will be in the form of the Targa.

This seems very thought-provoking. What can we expect with the Droid Bionic, or should I say the Targa?
 

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Get HBO Go Now!

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“05.02.11” was the date flashed at the end part of HBO Go’s commercial. It was uncertain at first whether or not an actual app will be available on that date. However, it was confirmed when Direct TV tweeted on their official Twitter account that, indeed, HBO Go will be available on May 2, 2011. But, it appears to be that HBO has unveiled their much awaited app earlier than it is expected. The app is now live and users under the subscription of the PayTV service can download it to selected Android devices.

Here’s the download link.
As of this moment, only selected devices can access HBO Go. Owners of tablets like the Viewsonic G-Tab, the Motorola Xoom, as well as older Android handsets like the Motorola Droid will likely be grouchy that they still can’t access the app. Also, users who have a rooted or overclocked their Android devices will also not like the fact that they cannot enjoy the service as well. Nevertheless, owners of more recent Droid versions such as the Droid X and Samsung’s Galaxy S will be happy to know that they have access to HBO Go. It would be wise to pay attention to the user reviews section and forums so you can decipher whether your handset will have any trouble getting the app up and running.
HBO Go gives users the pleasure to watch episodes of HBO originals, as well as feature movies on the move. The app is built to be a shop of sorts, in that it has it all for PayTV fans seeking options for streaming some quality HBO content.
So, are you ready for HBO Go?

 

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